I saw the video. There is no church in view of the officers dash cam. All the officer could see is a man walking with his back to the officer. The man open carrying did nothing unusual unless walking down the sidewalk is unusual. The officer said he detained the man to see if he is a felon. I don't see that as probable cause but I am not a lawyer. The officer could have got the mans weapon and ID without making him lay on the concrete for an extended period of time. Then again the open carrier could have cooperated without all the chin music. It appears that every word he said just aggravated the officer.

Here is a link to the 911 call and the dash cam footage. Today I have found several links to the same footage. They are being taken down very quickly. I don't know how long this link will last but here it is:

I think if you weren't breaking the law and some cop just decided to make you lay on the concrete, it wouldn't take you to long to protest his behavior. Cops are not God, we do have a right to protest and loudly if we are being abused. They have no right to abuse their power. I'm an old guy with a bum leg and if some SOB ordered me to the ground for no good reason you can bet your a$$ I'd be giving him grief. This is not a police state (at least not yet) if a cop is so afraid he can't treat a law abiding citizen with respect, it's time for him to find a different job.

I think if you weren't breaking the law and some cop just decided to make you lay on the concrete, it wouldn't take you to long to protest his behavior. Cops are not God, we do have a right to protest and loudly if we are being abused. They have no right to abuse their power. I'm an old guy with a bum leg and if some SOB ordered me to the ground for no good reason you can bet your a$$ I'd be giving him grief. This is not a police state (at least not yet) if a cop is so afraid he can't treat a law abiding citizen with respect, it's time for him to find a different job.

Amen to that rjd. Ive had 4 back surgeries in the last 3yrs and a bloodclot in my left leg that went to my lungs and my leg still isn't right and my back never will be. Im only 45 but getting down on the ground like those ******* cops made this guy do would cause me great pain. You can bet you a$$ I would be very vocal about it. They get what they give, just like everybody else.

I think if you weren't breaking the law and some cop just decided to make you lay on the concrete, it wouldn't take you to long to protest his behavior. Cops are not God, we do have a right to protest and loudly if we are being abused. They have no right to abuse their power. I'm an old guy with a bum leg and if some SOB ordered me to the ground for no good reason you can bet your a$$ I'd be giving him grief. This is not a police state (at least not yet) if a cop is so afraid he can't treat a law abiding citizen with respect, it's time for him to find a different job.

I respect your opinion. I feel the same way but when it is obvious the officers intent is to make you are miserable as possible there is no reason to throw fuel on the fire. Moreover, street lawyers almost always get a bad shake from police officers. Don't take me wrong, I am not saying the gentleman did anything to deserve the treatment he got. I am saying he would have gotten up sooner by remaining silent. You argue the law with a judge, not the police officer.

I respect your opinion. I feel the same way but when it is obvious the officers intent is to make you are miserable as possible there is no reason to throw fuel on the fire. Moreover, street lawyers almost always get a bad shake from police officers. Don't take me wrong, I am not saying the gentleman did anything to deserve the treatment he got. I am saying he would have gotten up sooner by remaining silent. You argue the law with a judge, not the police officer.

Didn't sound to me like he did anything wrong after he was on the ground. The scumbag cops didn't have any right to do what they did regardless of what he said or didn't say. He seemed to be pretty calm considering his rights were being violated. Cant honestly say I would have maintained my composure like he did. Flucking cops.

Im a bit torn on this. I guess times have changed but didnt think they had changed this much. Im a Rural Rat from birth and cant count the number of times I open carried a longarm yet never ever inspired anything but a dead squirrel or bunny, we have very few LEO's around here but they never ever once questioned anyone I know about why they were carrying a firearm in public. Grand Rapids is certainly bigger and less Rural than Knoxboro and I suspect crime stats may be higher there also but I do get nervous when a LEO "detains someone to see if they are a Felon" unless they are doing something that is actually felonious. Presumed innocent is more than a catch phrase, its our way of preventing overreach by overzealous officials.

That said, U-Tube hit squad setups way too often ride the line of sensible so they will likely illicit the attention they are trying to get and should not be surprised when they do. I want to believe that Officers have been well trained to not react to words, words are only distractions.

The officer said he detained the man to see if he is a felon. I don't see that as probable cause but I am not a lawyer. The officer could have got the mans weapon and ID without making him lay on the concrete for an extended period of time.

They are being taken down very quickly. I don't know how long this link will last but here it is:

Church was across the street. It is legal to OC in the church, but the church has the right to disallow any firearms. Sidewalk, even on the same side of the street is NOT the church, so it was still legal.

LEO does NOT have the right to detain someone to see if they are a felon. That has been resolved by SCOTUS.

I saw the video. There is no church in view of the officers dash cam. All the officer could see is a man walking with his back to the officer. The man open carrying did nothing unusual unless walking down the sidewalk is unusual. The officer said he detained the man to see if he is a felon. I don't see that as probable cause but I am not a lawyer. The officer could have got the mans weapon and ID without making him lay on the concrete for an extended period of time. Then again the open carrier could have cooperated without all the chin music. It appears that every word he said just aggravated the officer.

Here is a link to the 911 call and the dash cam footage. Today I have found several links to the same footage. They are being taken down very quickly. I don't know how long this link will last but here it is:

the fact of the matter is there are cops who abuse their authority and haven't a real clue many times to the legalities of the law pertaining to a citizen's rights concering guns and lawful carry.

but there are still ignorant douchebags who will try and make a political statement about their rights and try an bait cops into doing or saying something wrong.

so ignorant douchebags shouldstart acting like they have some sense and using their brains if they want to make a statement. being stupid is still being stupid and just because a person is within their legal rights, doesn't mean they aren't acting stupid.
and abusive cops need to learn the law and start acting with some professionalism and dignity that their badge and position deserve. if not they should really consider a career change.